Congrats to Miller Place ace Ava Zicchinelli on being named Suffolk County Pitcher of the Year!
She has been a dominant force all season and helped the Panthers win a New York State title over the weekend.
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Softball
Miller Place Wins NYSPHSAA Softball Championship
Congrats to the Miller Place Softball team on capturing the NYSPHSAA Championship!
Your grit, teamwork, and heart brought home a title, and our entire Section XI community couldn’t be prouder.
Ava Zicchinelli Strikes out 13, Throws No-Hitter in County Semifinals
Ava Zicchinelli had a dominant 13-strikeout performance and recorded a no-hitter to lead top-seeded Miller Place in a 7-1 win over Bayport-Blue Point in the Suffolk County Class A semifinals.
The Panthers will either Bayport-Blue Point, who dropped to the lower bracket, or Kings Park in the championship on Saturday, May 31.
Dennis McSweeney Tribute Softball Game
East Islip Softball Coach Jason McGowan Earns 300th Career Win
East Islip High School varsity softball coach Jason McGowan reached an important milestone on April 2, earning his 300th career win as a coach in a memorable 8-2 victory at West Babylon.
This is McGowan’s 19th season coaching softball, and his milestone total includes prior wins coaching Half Hollow Hills and Plainedge in addition to his 13 years in East Islip.
At the team’s home game on April 4, his appreciative players presented McGowan with a banner congratulating him on his achievement.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have players that believed in me and trusted the process,” McGowan said. “We’ve had some tough, resilient players come through this program and it’s a credit to them for their commitment and dedication to this program.”
East Islip Honors Newsday LI Player of the Year with Outfield Banner
The first note East Islip softball coach Jason McGowan ever sent Kyra Kreuscher as an 8th grader was “Dare to be great.”
She now has this quote on her glove as she continues her career at Seton Hall University.
“I am beyond proud of the player and person Kyra has become,” McGowan said. “She came to me as an eighth grader who played right field. She left EI an absolute legend.”
East Islip presented her with a Newsday Long Island Player of the Year banner that will be displayed on their outfield fence this spring and forever.
“Great motivation for my young team,” McGowan said.
Section XI Mourns the Loss of Dennis McSweeney
Section XI is saddened about the passing of longtime Islip softball coach Dennis McSweeney
McSweeney of Islip, NY, on September 18, 2024, at the age of 55. Loving son of Rose. Devoted brother of Theresa (Robert), Billy, Debbie (Brian), and Cindy (Greg). Cherished uncle of William, Justin, Daniel, Meghan, Ashley, Lauren, Gregory, and Caitlin. Beloved nephew of Uncle Charlie.
Visiting will be Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 3-7 p.m. A religious service will be held at 6 p.m. Cremation will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Islip High School, with “Islip Softball” in the memo.
Overton Funeral Home
172 Main Street
Islip, New York 11751
Ward Melville Softball Continues Trend of Giving
It might be September, but we can’t let a great community service story from the spring go unnoticed!
The Ward Melville Varsity Softball team proudly presented a check for $5,664.29 to Morgan’s Message, an organization dedicated to mental health awareness for student-athletes.
The team raised funds during its annual charity game last spring, and the softball program has contributed over $20,000 to various charities over the past four years.
Great community work, Ward Melville!
Pat-Med Softball Played Game in Tribute to Rare Disease Awareness
Pat-Med softball held a “rare disease awareness” game honoring Jose Alicea and the JZips Foundation.
Teams wore zebra stripes to represent Rare Disease Awareness and blue ribbons for histiocytosis.
NYSPHSAA to Swap Section XI Venues for 2024 Softball State Championships
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has announced it will move its 2024 Softball State Championship (June 7-8) from Moriches Athletic Complex to Martha Avenue Recreational Park. Both complexes are in Suffolk County (Section XI). The move is being made to ensure the state tournament is played on softball-specific fields.
“NYSPHSAA is appreciative of the work of Section XI and the Town of Brookhaven to host the top softball teams in New York State to contend for the title of NYSPHSAA State Champion,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “Moving the venue for the 2024 State Championships will provide for fields dedicated solely to the sport of softball and ultimately enhance the playing experience for hundreds of student-athletes.”
The 2022 and 2023 tournaments were played on multi-purpose turf fields with numerous markings for baseball and softball use. On June 7-8, 2024, NYSPHSAA will conduct the Softball State Tournament on softball-only turf fields at the Martha Avenue complex. It will mark the third year of a three-year bid term in which the state Softball Championships are hosted by Suffolk County. Previous sites of the Softball State Championships include Moreau Park (South Glens Falls), Binghamton, Waterloo, and Clifton Park.
This October, NYSPHSAA will begin accepting bids to host the 2025, 2026, and 2027 State Championships.